June 12 - 14, 2026, Circle M Market Farm, Iowa/Lafayette Counties, Wisconsin, 51 miles from home
One of the many reasons José and I enjoy camping is the opportunity to visit new places and gather ideas for what we want from our next chapter of life. How do we want to live? Where do we want to settle? Do we want to settle in one place, or keep exploring? What do we want out of life? With each trip we take, some of the answers are becoming clearer.
We discovered Circle M Market Farm through the HipCamp APP. Intrigued by the description of a farm dedicated to the stewardship of the land it sits upon, prospects of nearby fishing, AND the promise of vintage campers, we booked a weekend.
The drive along the ribbons of highway through the Driftless Region of Wisconsin always delivers beautiful views of rolling hills, trees, farmland, and iconic farmsteads.
We pulled up to the Circle M Market Farm in Blanchardville and drove up the long, gravel drive passing fields of produce, solar panels, red outbuildings, and a greenhouse. We were met by one of our hosts, Shannon, who graciously gave us a tour of the farm and told us a bit of its history.
We were given a few options on where to park our camper and selected a nice, level spot between the barn and a 1950s Friendship Vacationaire. For this lover of all things vintage, I couldn't think of a more lovely place to spend a relaxing weekend.
Because there were no occupants in the Vacationaire, Shannon invited us to use the deck space. Such a breathtaking pastoral view it provided! We watched the grazing sheep for hours. As the heat of the day rose, we simply moved our chairs under the shade of one of the many large trees.
Each day of our stay, we explored the farm and visited the animals. These three not-so-little pigs greeted us with such exuberance! I'm certain they were expecting more than just greetings, but their excitement didn't seem to be any less than if we'd come bearing buckets of slop.
The free-range chickens paraded around the farm, never being more than a few yards away from one another. They proved to be the most challenging of all the animals to capture on film, running away within seconds of getting the shot squared up.
Of the five cats that live on the farm, these two were by far the friendliest. I named them Tiramisu and Ginger Cat. Tiramisu stayed very nearby and would not only rub along my legs and purr, but would pop upon my lap for pets and head scratches. Lovely Ginger Cat, we saw most often at breakfast on the porch.
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Circle M Market Farm host, Kriss, provided a light breakfast each morning! Coffee, tea, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, cereal, and a fresh-baked good were waiting for us on the farmhouse porch each morning. This proved to be my favorite time of the day. The comforting food, the gorgeous view of the garden, the presence of nearby nestled cats, and the bevy of activity from the awakening wildlife provided much comfort and entertainment. Orioles, hummingbirds, red-wing blackbirds, and countless other birds were constantly on the move, reminding us we also had things to do.
Right within Blanchardville, there is a public pool and playscape, an antique shop, an ice cream parlor, a hardware store, and a grocery store for convenience and entertainment. Just a short drive from the farm, one can visit the villages of New Glarus or Mount Horeb, both offering unique attractions, shopping, and dining.
But one needn't go too far in search of entertainment. Meandering about the farm, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the countryside, proved to be quite fulfilling.
I was desperate to take a closer look at the vintage campers. Graciously, Kriss gave me permission to poke around!
Along with the above-mentioned '50s Vacationaire, this 1960s canned ham and a 1967 Holiday Trav'ler are offered for rent. Thoughtfully placed spaciously apart, each is whimsically decorated and fitted for comfort.
Residing in such a tranquil and restful setting offers an escape from the noise and stress of the world and instantly takes one back in time. For those who appreciate vintage campers, the experience of seeing these beauties up close, together, and respectfully cared for is pretty special. How could it get any better than this?
And yet it does! These, ladies and gentlemen, are the restroom facilities. This shared bathroom space, delightfully decorated in vintage glamour with a clawfoot tub and a chandelier, and paired with a modern, spacious shower, elevates the whole camping experience to full-on glamping! Yet another option is an outdoor shower!
After our visit, José and I felt a little closer to the answers to what we hope to pursue in the future - a few acres of land in the Driftless Region, a warm and inviting cabin cottage, our vintage camper for family and friends' visits, chickens, pups, and a couple of friendly cats - our own bit of Heaven on Earth!
